MINSK, 10 July (BelTA) – Belarus invites Lithuania and Latvia to use the electricity of the Belarusian nuclear power plant together. Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Belarus to Latvia Vasily Markovich made the relevant statement in an interview with the Free City magazine, BelTA has learned.

The statement reads: “Lithuania intended to build a nuclear power plant of its own. We've just beat them to it. Although the Ignalina nuclear power plant was 12km from the Belarusian border, from the place where our resort – the national park Braslav Lakes – is located. Nevertheless, we willingly bought their electricity and didn't make any protests. Now we suggest the same thing to Lithuania and Latvia: colleagues, let's use our cheap electricity together.”

The diplomat noted that Belarus is hurt by the degree of negative feelings Lithuania demonstrates with regard to the construction of the Belarusian nuclear power plant. “Although we've done stress tests, and voluntarily at that, in tight cooperation with the IAEA and in line with standards of the European Union. The stress tests confirmed the reliability of the nuclear power plant under construction. We are building a nuclear power plant using cutting-edge technologies under the oversight of the International Atomic Energy Agenda. We've lived through the Chernobyl catastrophe. Suspicions that we endanger our country… We suggest: colleagues, let's talk, let's debate, we are open. But it hasn't been done for now,” the ambassador stated.

Vasily Markovich went on saying that Belarus and Latvia have an understanding in this matter. The two countries have signed an agreement on cooperation in nuclear safety and radiation protection.

https://eng.belta.by/economics/view/...a-122605-2019/